I have been accused (perhaps rightly so) of being anal about planning some things. And maybe it's just that it's winter and I have some time on my hands. We are planning a summer trip to Alaska. I have read numerous trip reports and blog posts about Alaska. It seems like rain is a decent possibility in the late summer season we hope to go in. A number of posts have mentioned taking "rain gear" along. This can mean a lot of things. So, a few questions:Did you take "rain gear"If so, what in particular? Light weight jackets, such as Marmot Precip; something heavier like a rubber coated product?Did you bring rain pants along as well, or just a jacket?How satisfied were you with what you brought? Would you bring something different next time?Anyway, thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Instead of rain gear get yourself a Columbia jacket. They sell a couple differend models that are sufficient for all but a monsoon. As a side benefit it can double as an all season every day jacket.

donn0128 wrote:Instead of rain gear get yourself a Columbia jacket. They sell a couple differend models that are sufficient for all but a monsoon. As a side benefit it can double as an all season every day jacket.Columbia makes a lot of jackets. Any one in particular? I have a fleece, and it will not keep out any rain.

DW and I both have Columbia OmniTech jackets. They came with a zip in liner and zip on hood making it perfect for all weather. No they are not intended for a down pour but work great in a light to medium rain.The Columbia Northbounder is currently on sale for $150. This is similar to the ones we have

It rains harder in Florida, than any time when we were in Alaska, late August early September. We saw more of a drizzling fog, the few times we saw any precipitation. No downpours or anything close. Any good lightweight jacket will do, better if it's water resistant. Columbia is a good choice.

I’d think that you already have enough rain gear, especially if you ever have to setup in the rain.

Rain Gear | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2019
Instead of rain gear get yourself a Columbia jacket. They sell a couple differend models that are sufficient for all but a monsoon. As a side benefit it can double as an all season every day jacket.
K_and_I
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
donn0128 wrote:
Instead of rain gear get yourself a Columbia jacket. They sell a couple differend models that are sufficient for all but a monsoon. As a side benefit it can double as an all season every day jacket.

Columbia makes a lot of jackets. Any one in particular? I have a fleece, and it will not keep out any rain.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2019
DW and I both have Columbia OmniTech jackets. They came with a zip in liner and zip on hood making it perfect for all weather. No they are not intended for a down pour but work great in a light to medium rain.

The Columbia Northbounder is currently on sale for $150. This is similar to the ones we have
MDKMDK
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
It rains harder in Florida, than any time when we were in Alaska, late August early September. We saw more of a drizzling fog, the few times we saw any precipitation. No downpours or anything close. Any good lightweight jacket will do, better if it's water resistant. Columbia is a good choice.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2019
I’d think that you already have enough rain gear, especially if you ever have to setup in the rain.
Crowe
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
I'm a big fan of North Face. Love the 1990 GTX they just reintroduced but they don't have them for men yet. Any product with GoreTex or similar should be fine. It rains in Alaska just like it rains anywhere else-wet.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
We had decent rain gear already for hiking which included jackets and pants. We also took nice rain ponchos that we could throw into a small backpack for hikes when it was warmer but might rain. what you will want to take will depend upon how far you expect to be from rain cover. Are you going to be hiking several hours or just going from your car to scenic overlooks at the end of a 200 yard path?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2019
You bet I carry rain gear...Gore-tex...and that I put it on immediately when sprinkles start. So, if it rains I can continue to enjoy the outdoors.
K_and_I
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
2chiefsRus wrote:
We had decent rain gear already for hiking which included jackets and pants. We also took nice rain ponchos that we could throw into a small backpack for hikes when it was warmer but might rain. what you will want to take will depend upon how far you expect to be from rain cover. Are you going to be hiking several hours or just going from your car to scenic overlooks at the end of a 200 yard path?

We probably will do both. We like to hike, but we don't go as far as we used to (age and replacement body parts). We both have light rain jackets, supposedly breathable, but I seem to sweat a lot when I wear it in warm weather. I was curious as to what others had taken. We have not used rain pants, but again, what do others do? We would like the option to do 4-5 mile hikes, even with the threat of rain.
DrewE
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2019
I just took a normal (fairly light) water-resistant coat, along the lines of a windbreaker, and an umbrella when I went. It was generally quite sufficient. It's not as though getting wet is the end of the world; you can always change into dry clothes when you get back.

Alaska is a big place, and the weather conditions vary a great deal across it. I think the most rain I encountered was actually (and very much atypically) around Deadhorse and along the Dalton Highway.

Late summer and early fall can start to get rather chilly in Alaska and the Yukon. A sweater and/or sweatshirt would be a good idea. I had to buy a sweater in Whitehorse, but fortunately found a nice comfortable one for a good price, so it turned out very well. In fact, it's now one of my favorite sweaters.

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